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Religions

General

Culturegrams | Paid for by KCLS Accessible with KCLS Library Card
Articles, maps, photographs, biographies and recipes focusing on world cultures.

Gale Virtual Reference Library: Religion Reference Collection | Paid for by KCLS Accessible with KCLS Library Card
Cross-searchable full-text reference books on a wide variety of subjects.

Religion & Ethics
Presents an overview of world religions and their beliefs from the BBC.

Religion Facts
Articles on a wide variety of world religions, both ancient and modern.

World Religions
From the United Religions Initiative, this site offers an introduction to Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism. Discusses the concept of religion and what it means. Brief descriptions are provided for eleven other religions.

Atheism

American atheists
Learn more about the belief system of atheism 

Religion & Ethics: Atheism
Includes introductory overview and history of atheism, including reasons for being an atheist. Also covers the atheist approach to life rituals, and information about different types of Atheism. From the BBC.

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Bahá’í Faith

Bahá’í
Official Website of the Bahá’í of the United States

The Bahá’í World
Official website of the Baha’I Faith. “A brief introduction” gives a thorough overview and history. Other sections discuss main figures and institutions, beliefs and teachings, sacred writings, and activities of followers around the world. Includes some photographs.

Religion & Ethics: Baha’i
Includes basic introduction and history, summary of beliefs, worship practices, holy days, customs, and lifestyle information. Contains photographs. From the BBC.

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Buddhism

Buddhism
In-depth resource, covering the Buddhist outlook on the cosmos, the calendar, and worship practices. Contains information about sacred texts, rituals and beliefs, and an overview of the major subdivisions of Buddhism. Also includes timeline and glossary. Sponsored by the Religious Studies Program at the University of Wyoming.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet
Covers the life and work of Tibetan Buddhism’s spiritual leader -- His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama. Contains in-depth biographical information, including photographs and text of his 1989 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. Created by the Office of Tibet and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.

An Introduction to Buddhism
Covers history of Buddhism and the life of Siddhartha Gautama, and the basics of Buddhist beliefs and practices, including Buddhist Wisdom, Buddhist Cosmology, the Wheel of Life, Buddhist morality, and Buddhist meditation. Also includes a map of the Buddhist world and a glossary of basic Buddhist vocabulary. Published by Dr. C. George Boeree, of Shippensburg University in Pennsylvannia.

Religion & Ethics: Buddhism
Introductory information and history of Buddhism, as well as information about customs, beliefs, worship practices, and holy days. Also provides detailed information about subdivisions of Buddhism-- Theravada, and Mahayana (including Zen, Tibetan, Pure Land, Korean Zen, or Son). Discusses the Four Noble Truths and meditation. Includes images. From the BBC.

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Christianity

Anno Domini: Jesus Through the Centuries
A detailed look at the life and influence of Jesus Christ. Includes accompanying imagery. Created by the Virtual Museum of Canada.

BibleGateway.com
A searchable online version of the Bible, Christianity’s sacred text. Provided by Gospel Communications International, a non-profit Christian ministry group.

Christianity
In-depth resource, covering the Christian outlook on the cosmos, the calendar, and worship practices, information about sacred texts, rituals and beliefs, and an overview of the major subdivisions of Christianity—Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant. Also includes timeline and glossary. Sponsored by the Religious Studies Program at the University of Wyoming.

From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians
An in-depth look at what modern archaeological findings tell us about the rise of Christianity, including the life and death of Jesus Christ, and the lives of his followers, the first Christians. This site contains maps, images, chronologies, and other interactive materials. Created by PBS.

Religion & Ethics: Christianity
Introduction and history, customs and beliefs, and worship practices. Provides detailed information about holy days, including accompanying photographs. Also contains detailed information about some major subdivisions: Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox Church, Quakers, Mormons, and Exclusive Brethren.

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Hinduism

Hinduism
In-depth resource, covering the Hindu outlook on the cosmos, the calendar, and worship practices, information about sacred texts, rituals and beliefs, and an overview of the caste system. Also includes a timeline, glossary, and maps. Sponsored by the Religious Studies Program at the University of Wyoming.

Meeting God: Elements of Hindu Devotion
Introductory information about Hinduism, information about worship in the home, community, and temples, processionals, ephemeral shrines and images, vows and trances, and renunciation. Includes photographs and short video clips.

Religion & Ethics: Hinduism
Introductory information and history, customs, beliefs, worship practices, and holy days. Also includes detailed information about Nepal, the only official Hindu state in the world. From the BBC.

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Islam

Islam
In-depth resource, covering the Muslim outlook on the cosmos, the calendar, and worship practices, information about sacred texts, rituals and beliefs, and an overview of Islamic political organization. Also includes a timeline, glossary, and maps. Sponsored by the Religious Studies Program at the University of Wyoming.

Islam: Empire of Faith
Informative site, including a timeline of events in Islamic history, profiles of major figures, innovations and art attributed to the Islamic world, and information about the basic beliefs and practices of the Islamic faith. From PBS.

Islam for Children
Created by a school in the United Kingdom, this site provides an introduction to the Islamic faith, information about daily living and customs, and a glossary of Islamic words. Notice the occasional British spelling of a few key terms.

Islam:  Muslim life 
PBS' Frontline explores the world of Islam and its worldwide resurgence.

The Koran
Searchable and browsable online Qu'ran (Koran), the sacred text of Islam. Provided by the University of Michigan’s Digital Library.

Religion & Ethics - Islam
Contains introduction and history, customs, beliefs, and worship practices, holy days, and a glossary of Islam-related terminology. Also includes features on the Sharia, Mosques from around the world, the Qur’an, Jihad, Islamic Art and Architecture, and an Islamic school. From the BBC.

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Judaism

Heritage: Civilization and the Jews
Historical timeline of key events in Judaism, from 3100 BCE to the present. From PBS.

Jewish Virtual Library
Extensive source of history, maps, biographies, and more, covering Judaism and Jewish civilization from ancient times to the present. Includes special sections on the Holocaust, Women, Politics, and Israel. Created by the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise.

Judaism
In-depth resource, covering the Jewish outlook on the cosmos, the calendar, and worship practices, information about sacred texts, rituals and beliefs, and an overview of Classic and Modern Judaism. Also includes a timeline, glossary, and maps. Sponsored by the Religious Studies Program at the University of Wyoming.

Religion & Ethics: Judaism
Covers history, customs, beliefs, worship practices, and holy days, as well as subdivisions, including Orthodox and Reform Judaism. From the BBC.

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Paganism

Religion & Ethics: Paganism
Covers history, beliefs, worship practices, and festivals. Includes features about a Wiccan teen and stone circles. From the BBC.

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Scientology

Scientology 
The official website for the religion of Scientology.

L. Ron Hubbard Site
Thorough biographical information about L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Church of Scientology. Published by the Church of Scientology International.

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Shintoism

Shinto
The official Japanese Association of Shinto Shrines provides an overview of the beliefs and tenets of Shinto

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Sikhism

Sikhism
The basic tenets of Sikhism

Religion & Ethics: Sikhism
Contains introduction and history, customs, beliefs, and worship practices, holy days, and a feature on the Sikh calendar. From the BBC.

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Taoism

Taoism, or the Way
Concise but thorough introduction to Taoism, written by Judith A. Berling for the Asia Society's Focus on Asian Studies.

Taoism and the Arts of China
Online exhibition of Taoist art, illustrating many facets of the Taoist religion. Exhibit includes paintings, calligraphy, sculpture, porcelain, lacquer, and ritual robes and implements from collections around the world. Also includes maps, timelines, and a glossary of terms. From the Art Institute of Chicago.

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Last Updated: May 8, 2013